Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Friday, September 12, 2008

AVIATION: U.S.-bound flight from New Zealand to showcase ways to save time and fuel. A major initiative to help cut airline flight times, burn less fuel, and reduce harmful carbon emissions is to be presented today by the FAA at the San Francisco International Airport. Los Angeles Times, California. 12 September 2008. [Registration Required]

CARBON MARKETS: World carbon standards to relax. World greenhouse gas markets probably will relax their notions of what constitutes a carbon credit to encourage more people to reduce emissions of planet-warming gases, the head of the Chicago Climate Exchange said. Reuters. 12 September 2008.

BANGLADESH: Bangladesh launches climate change action plan. Bangladesh, one of the countries most vulnerable to the effects of climate change, has launched a strategy to help the nation adapt to threats such as rising sea level, water-logged land and increased salinity. Nature. 12 September 2008.

(By SASHA ABELSON, Guest Blogger to the Climate Program)

 
When I first moved to LA I told people I hoped to find a job close to home which did not involve an hour commute to and from the office. The response to this statement was generally one of uncontrollable laughter.   I, however, did not think it was funny.

I was born and raised in New York City and the idea of walking to work was not a foreign concept to me.  In fact, in all of my years as a New Yorker, I was able to get to each place of employment on foot.  I always enjoyed my walk to work, and I appreciated the fact that it was indeed possible to walk to work. 

I am now a resident of LA and my current commute takes me approximately 10 minutes - on my bike.  I will always remember that I am one of the lucky ones! A colleague of mine just explained to me how she spent 3 hours last night traveling the 19.1 miles to her home. 

Friday, August 15, 2008

GREEN JOBS: Oregon creates hot jobs in green energy. The green energy sector in Oregon is an economic and environmental success story in an area hard-pressed for family-wage jobs, an example of "green collar" employment blossoming in reaction to high energy costs and concerns about global warming. Portland Oregonian, Oregon. 15 August 2008.

SOLAR ENERGY: Two large solar plants planned in California. The plants will cover 12.5 square miles of central California with solar panels, and in the middle of a sunny day will generate about 800 megawatts of power, roughly equal to the size of a large coal-burning power plant or a small nuclear plant. New York Times. 15 August 2008. [Registration Required]

ALGAE: Algae could help cut coal plants' carbon emissions. With international attention focused on carbon dioxide and its role in global climate change, power companies might find a hero in humble algae. Louisville Courier-Journal, Kentucky. 15 August 2008.

Last Thursday I had the privilege of listening to a panel of climate change experts at a conference which was moderated by NAF's Climate Policy Director Terry Tamminen.  Among the panel was a diverse group including Nobel Peace Prize Laureate R.K. Pachauri.  At the conclusion of an incredibly stimulating panel discussion each of the participants was asked what they do in their own life to stop global warming.  Dr. Pachauri, without pause, answered "I don't eat meat."

Being a vegetarian I realize food is a sensitive subject. I put it in the category of money, politics and religion.   After all it's one thing to tell someone to change out a light bulb, but another to tell someone to give something up, which for some, brings great pleasure.  However, when you realize the impact meat consumption has in terms of environmental degradation, public health, animal welfare, the poor and yes, climate change, it suddenly makes this American staple a bit less appetizing. 

Friday, August 8, 2008

SOLAR HIGHWAY: Oregon installs first highway solar project. In an attempt to spur the spread of solar power, the Oregon Department of Transportation on Thursday unveiled the nation's first solar panel project on a major U.S. highway. Portland Oregonian, Oregon. 8 August 2008.

EMISSIONS TRADING: Boost for emissions trading scheme. European Union and United Nations systems for tracking the use of carbon credits will be connected before December, a move that should significantly facilitate emissions trading. London Financial Times, United Kingdom. 8 August 2008.

  (By Sasha Abelson, Guest Blogger to the Climate Program)

Photo by Ira Meyer - http://irameyer.com/

The original subject for this blog was going to be a commentary on how the White House allegedly pressured the head of the EPA, Stephen Johnson, to reject California's request to implement stricter emission control laws.  Johnson defended himself stating the decision was "mine and mine alone".[1]  Now a group of democratic senators are calling for a perjury investigation into Johnson's comments.

I found this story shocking on several levels.  Firstly, the head of the EPA may have let his integrity be compromised by pressure from the executive office, and secondly, the President's (alleged) preference for a single emissions standard trumped the state's attempt to regulate greenhouse gas emissions (remember global warming?).

I began writing and was in midsentence when yesterday the above photo was presented to our office.  I stopped writing.   

Friday, July 11, 2008

U.N CONTROVERSY: U.N. warming program draws fire. A United Nations program designed to combat global warming has started doing something no one expected: It is subsidizing fossil-fuel power plants that spew millions of tons of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere annually. Wall Street Journal. 11 July 2008. [Subscription Required]

FEDERAL POLICY: EPA won't act on emissions this year. The Bush administration has decided not to take any new steps to regulate greenhouse gas emissions before the president leaves office, despite pressure from the Supreme Court and broad accord among senior federal officials. Washington Post. 11 July 2008. [Registration Required]

GLOBAL WARMING - SMOG: Study links global warming to more smog. U.S. environmental regulators quietly published a draft study on Thursday that linked global warming to higher levels of smog that could harm human health, a report green groups said stood in contrast to the Bush Administration's slow movement on climate change. Reuters UK. 11 July 2008.

I attended Governor Crist's Florida Summit on Global Climate Change a few weeks ago, and Lord Adair Turner, Chairman of the United Kingdom Climate Change Committee, discussed climate change and economics.  He said there has been a concern that cutting greenhouse gas emissions 80% below 1990 levels by 2050 (which is California's law) is a "threat" to the American way of life.  He went on to prove why that is not true (which I will discuss later in this blog).

But first I want to ask what happened to the "land of opportunity," to the country where "the sky's the limit?"  Where has America's hope gone, and why are we hesitant to seize the opportunity?

Actually, I know-the people that are putting out the message about the "threat" are those who feel threatened...ie. oil companies.  Yeah, things don't look good for them if our country needs to change our lifestyle and implement new technologies for energy.  But things don't look good for the entire world if we don't.  So who do you want to protect (hint: 2 answers are correct):

a. the incredibly rich oil company executives, whom if they retire now will have plenty of money for themselves and their families for generations to come

b. the poor child living in the African nation of Chad (who emits 1/2000 of carbon emissions/year of what an average American does)

c. ourselves.